China's pork prices climb after government tops off reserves

Futures jump more than 20% from July, following bulk purchases by Beijing

A customer looks at pork at a market in Beijing in July. That month, the Chinese government said it had added 20,000 more tonnes to the national reserves. © Kyodo

MISA HAMA and IORI KAWATE, Nikkei staff writers

September 24, 2023 18:30 JST

TOKYO/BEIJING -- Pork prices in China have picked up appreciably since the government intervened in the market via bulk purchasing.

"Just a little while ago, every cut was affordable," said a company worker in Tianjin of a local food shop. "Now prices have soared, and I have stopped buying them." Pork ribs rose nearly 30% this summer, she said.